15:49 Local Time, 13:49 GMT, 19:19 IST: Well, the bad news is here. The match has been abandoned. The series now moves across to Durban for the 2nd T20I on Wednesday. Do join us for all the action. For now, cheers and bye..

15:17 Local Time, 1:17 PM GMT, 18:47 IST: It had stopped raining for a while and the covers were removed. All in waste though, it has started to rain once again and the covers are back in place. It is a proper shower now, chances of any play today look pretty bleak.

14:41 Local Time, 12:41 GMT, 18:11 IST: Ok, scratch that previous update.. It has started to rain again. The covers are back in place.

14:31 Local Time, 12:31 GMT, 18:01 IST: The covers are coming off. It is still pretty gloomy out in the middle. There will be an official inspection in half-an-hour.

13:52 Local Time, 11:52 GMT, 17:22 IST: Good news. Seems like the rain has eased up. They are in the process of removing the covers...

13:48 Local Time, 11:48 GMT, 17:18 IST: Sadly, the weather in Port Elizabeth is disapponting. It has been pouring for quite a while now and the rain has not relented. The covers are firmly in place. There is no news on the start time yet. We will bring you the updates as they come. Stay tuned....

13:45 Local Time, 11:45 GMT, 17:15 IST: After a thrilling three-match Test series, South Africa and Australia lock horns in the 1st T20I game today. Given the fact that the T20 World Cup is just a few days away, the significance of this game cannot be undermined. Although, Australia came on top in the Tests, a new format and a revamped team may offer South Africa the golden opportunity to inch ahead. Dale Steyn, suffering from a hamstring strain, will miss the first 2 games of the series. For Australia, Mitchell Johnson has been rested ahead of the World T20. In the absence of these 2 fiery bowlers, it will be interesting to see what sort of contest these two teams put up.

Preview

South Africa T20 coach Russell Domingo admits the timing of the series against Australia is perfect as he aims to get his squad right for the start of the ICC World Twenty20 later this month.

The teams will face each other in three T20 matches, the first taking place in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, with the Proteas aiming to salvage some pride following defeat in the recently-concluded Test series.

However, Domingo's focus is largely on the upcoming World T20 in Bangladesh and the series against the Baggy Greens allows him the chance to fine-tune his line-up.

"The World Cup is the big priority going forward, but everyone will be looking at these next three matches to finalise combinations and strategies ahead of the World Cup," Domingo said.

"Taking momentum into an event like this is important and also making sure our strategies and tactics are finalised by the time we get there.

"We have won nine out of our last 12 T20 matches in the last year. I'm happy with the progress we have made. We have moved up to number two or three in the world in this format, so the team has gone in the right direction.

"We have given it a lot of attention when we have played and we're starting to reap the rewards."

Paceman Dale Steyn is expected to miss the first two T20 matches because of a hamstring injury, while Wayne Parnell (groin) and Beuran Hendricks (side strain) will undergo late fitness tests.

The tourists are also missing their star fast bowler, with Mitchell Johnson heading back to Australia for a short break before meeting up with the squad again in Bangladesh.

However, with in-form batsman David Warner in the side, Australia will fancy their chances of claiming another series victory.

Warner was in scintillating form in the Test series, scoring 543 runs at 90.50 and hitting three centuries, and fellow opener Aaron Finch feels he will be key to another series success.

"He's probably gone from a guy who could dominate attacks and could win games for you, to a guy who just does it now," said Finch.

"Regardless of the attack. Regardless of the conditions and the wicket, he's dominating.